MusicFest Canada is proud to honour the memory of the Honourable Tommy Banks, pianist, conductor, arranger, composer, TV personality, actor, producer and politician (1936-2018). Tommy had an unparalleled, multi-faceted career spanning more than 60 years in virtually every aspect of the entertainment industry in Canada. A professional jazz pianist at age 14, he went on to lead his own bands, conduct symphony orchestras around the world, direct musical ceremonies at international events, host his own long-running television show, and act in film and television. He also served nearly 12 years in the Canadian Senate. Tommy was chair (1978–86) of the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts and chair (1983–87) of the music program at Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton. He was a member (1989–95) and a policy consultant (1996– 98) of the Canada Council, and the chairman of the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation (1989–91). In 1999, Edmonton named a street Tommy Banks Way in his honour. In 2010, he received SOCAN’s special achievement award for his contributions to Canada’s music industry and musical heritage.
In Mr. Banks’ honour, MusicFest Canada and the NAC Orchestra provide a commemorative plaque and $500 cash award to a most outstanding jazz director.
2024 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Julia Jung
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School (Mississauga, ON)
2023 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Matt Drysdale
Eastwood Collegiate Institute (Kitchener, ON)
2022 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Greg Edwards
Westwood Collegiate (Winnipeg, MB)
2021 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Carmella Luvisotto
Wellington Secondary School (Nanaimo, BC)
2019 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Dave Noble
Campbellford District High School (Campbellford, ON)
2018 AWARD RECIPIENT
- Neil Yorke-Slader
Nepean All-City Jazz Band (Ottawa, ON)
